Broken tools, how to overcome

[clinebarger]

Originally Posted by mattd
Originally Posted by clinebarger
Aren't those Torx-Plus 50?.....


Yes either that or a T55 brain [censored] at the moment..

I have broken several snap on bits with hand tools trying to remove them. Up here in the landed of rusted trucks it's easier just to cut them off and get new bolts


Your right.....It is TP55, Same as 4L60E bellhousing bolts. One of the few 1/2" drive Torx sockets I own.

 

[Food Scientist]

So I ended up cutting 4 of the 8 bolts heads to remove the bed. They are Torx Plus or TP50 size, bought a Lisle brand impact rated tool, worked perfect.

Rust had really gotten to my truck and removing the bed was a pain in the neck, but so glad I did. So much easier to access everything and stuff was either rusted or seized, so I ended up cutting a lot of hoses and hose clamps. One strap rusted completely in two (even with the recall done years ago), so I couldn't have removed the tank from the bottom as the only thing holding it up was the tank guard.

The tank was leaking where it is held up from the rear fuel tank strap. Painted a new one, installed it with all new hoses near the rear of the truck, along with a new tank pressure sensor (broke the old one) and removed as much rust as I could and treated the frame with rustproofing spray.

Truck is at 165k miles and my goal is 200k, so not looking for it to last forever.

 

[dan_erickson]

I've welded a large nut to the bolt heads on those ford trucks. You can really put some force on those bolts that way and test out your welding skills.